The Festival Packing List – Everything You Need To Bring For A Stress Free Time 

This post is part of our archived content. While we’ve shifted focus, it still may be useful.

Heading to your first festival?

Use this festival packing list to ensure you bring all you need and to know what to leave behind.

What do you have planned for your festival? A little fun with your friends or family or perhaps you’re a solo traveller.

Whether you’re going to Coachella, Burning Man, or Mardi Gras, these festival essentials will make your experience much more fun.

Here are a few of our favourite things to pack for a festival.

From backpacks to zip ties, you’ve got to look your absolute best and savour every second of the festival.

Your festival must-dos:

• Only pack the essentials
• Choose the right bag
• Consider the number of people on the trip; are you travelling solo or bringing the kids to enjoy this experience?
• Pack the right shoes
• Pack for the weather
• Stash some cash
• Never run out of sunscreen

That said, let’s get down to a complete list for an amazing festival experience.

A Complete Festival Packing List

How do you want to remember your festival experience? This is the first thing you think about when packing your bags. Do you like to travel light or need to travel heavy?

You’ll find this packing list handy for a couple of nights or days at the festival. Let’s get to it!

Important Festival Documents

Festival Entry Ticket

Print your paper tickets and keep them where you can easily find them.

Even if you have the e-ticket on your phone, it doesn’t hurt to print and carry it with you just in case you’re unable to make use of your phone at the time.

Check the basic details on the festival ticket. Does it cover the days you’ll be spending?

Did you buy it in your name? Is it a family ticket or do you need to get one per head?

Also, don’t forget to get your parking tickets, car pass, travel tickets and so on.

Identification

A variety of checks can be needed to enter festivals and requirements can differ.

Regardless of your age, you need to carry your ID with you for possible checks at the gate. Sometimes, the ID is to ensure that the ticket rightly matches the name on your ticket.

Programme

Most festivals hand this out to you at the gate for free or you can buy them at the merch stand.

If the programmes are not free, pre-order one so you can escape the long queues.

Find out if the festival has a website or app with their released schedule to enable you to pack better.

Money

Queues for cash can be long and tedious.

Always stash enough money in your bag and save yourself the stress of queuing up.

Pro tip: Ensure you keep your cash safe and carefully tucked away.

Travel Bags

You need a bag to pack everything for the festival.

Your choice largely depends on whether you’re alone or travelling with a large number. Another consideration is travel preference; are you travelling light or heavy?

You don’t want to be stressed out making rounds of trips to the car for a thing or two.

Top tips for packing your bag for any festival:

Use a large tote or rucksack. If your items won’t fit into a small rucksack, consider getting a giant-sized tote to carry outfit changes, extra bedding, snacks and other stuff that you need easy access to.

Avoid bringing a trolley if the weather is damp and the ground is muddy. You don’t want the stress of dragging trolleys through muddy hills and terrain.

Instead, get a cart with large wheels for easy mobility.

Sort your stuff! If you’re spending over three nights or more, you should definitely consider sorting the clean clothes from the dirty ones.

An extra bag might come in handy in this case so you don’t end up staining all your outfits at once.

Bags you need for a festival experience:

Bumbags easily go around your waist and ensure that you have all the essentials you need while you move around.

Pack your money, phones, lipgloss, sanitiser, wipes, power bank and snacks in here.

Backpacks and/or crossbody bags are never out of style, especially with their dual-purpose compartments.

You can easily shoulder the burden on your back or switch to the front for easy access.

A transparent bag is essential for festivals if security needs to search your items before entry.

If you don’t mind all your belongings being on show, use a transparent bag.

Most of these bags serve similar purposes. Take your time and weigh up the pros and cons so you can make the best choice for your travel experience.

Tent

What is a festival without tents? Unless you’re driving a campervan, booking a hotel or attending a day festival, you’ll need a place to sleep after the days events.

There are several tents in the market that can serve different purposes.

From six-person tents to small low-budget tents, you need to plan for the number of people on the trip.

Bedding and Sleeping

Sleeping habits and comfort differ per person. Festivals may not guarantee the best nights of sleep like home. Regardless, it is part of the memory.

If you need a warm night’s sleep, plan better and bring your essentials:

• Sleeping bag
• Sleeping Mat or Airbed
• Pillow
• Eye mask
• Ear plugs

Make sure that you bring the items you know you need for a good night’s sleep.

Use small foldable sleeping bags and mats for better movement.

Skip the pillows and stuff clothes into a pillowcase for comfort if you prefer to travel light.

Bring foam earplugs to protect your ears while sleeping.

Phone

Your smartphone can fit anywhere these days: jean pocket, backpack or just your hand. Make sure that you’re careful with the phone to avoid losing it.

Turn on Find My Phone, and use a screen protector and a phone case.

Portable Charger or Power Bank

You don’t want your battery dying on you when you need it the most.

Unless you’ve got unrestricted access to power, you’ll need a portable charger or a power bank.

I prefer a power bank for these experiences.

Camera

Most people use their phones these days and ditch the camera.

If you prefer to take pictures or vlog separately on a digital camera, consider adding this to your list.

Lights

You’ll need a battery-powered lamp for the tent or a small torch to light your path at night.

Festival Toiletries

One major concern you may have about festivals is how to stay clean and fresh.

If you’re the type that sweats a lot or hates dirt, then consider packing a few of these. Especially if you cannot find a safe place to shower.

• Micellar water
• Reusable cloth wipes
• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Tissues and toilet roll
• Body mist
• Deodorant
• Festival wash kit
• Hand sanitiser
• Shower gel/soap
• Dry shampoo
• Towel
• Festival beauty essentials
• Moisturiser
• Sun cream
• Talcum powder
• Lip balm
• Perfume
• Foundation
• Bronzer/blusher
• Concealer
• Mascara
• Eyeliner
• Eyeshadow palette
• Lipstick
• Face paint
• Glitter
• Mirror
• Festival medical kit

Whether you’re travelling solo or with family, you’ll need to pack a small medical kit for your wellbeing and health:

• Antihistamines
• Painkillers
• Allergy medication
• Antacid
• Any prescribed medication
• Contraception
• Plasters
• Bandages
• Antiseptic cream
• Sudocrem
• Wet wipes
• Eye drops
• Sanitary products
• Throat sweets
• Insect repellent
• Vitamins and supplements
• Rehydration sachets

Your hair needs to stand out and clean throughout the duration of the festival.

Pack these essentials:

• Hairbrush
• Hair ties and bands
• Grips and clips
• Hair oil
• A colourful wig

Clothes & Accessories to Pack for a Festival

Your clothes and accessories are totally up to your style preferences.

But be aware of the weather and climate changes when packing your bag. Also, prioritise comfort.

Bring:

• Pack for the weather – bring layers like hoodies, jumpers, scarves, faux fur coats
• Headpiece
• T-shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses, leggings and jeans
• Fancy dress outfit for themed days
• Underwear and socks
• Swimwear
• Raincoat
• Sunglasses
• Hats
• Jewellery (nothing precious, leave the diamond ring or sentimental items at home

Shoes are their own category!

• Prioritise comfort when choosing your shoes. Will you be able to dance and walk long distances?
• Go for waterproof, comfy shoes like Blundstones
• Bring boots or wellies in case of rain
• Comfy trainers and sandals
• Socks

Food & Drink

Do you prefer to buy food at the on site shop or bring your own?

At the very least, you’ll need:

• Reusable water bottle; ideally one that keeps cold drinks cold and hot drinks hot.
• Long life snacks

If you prefer to cook:

• Camping stove (If they’re allowed)
• Cooking pot
• Mug/bowls
• Easy-to-cook meals
• Cool box

Handy miscellaneous items for festivals:

• String
• Gaffer tape
• Cable ties
• Bin bags
• Camping chairs
• Car jump start cables
• A fan
• Fun items like a whistle, clown nose, face paints or Mickey Mouse ears

There you have it! The ultimate festival packing list.

Now go and enjoy!